Flexible tactile actuator

Abstract

A flexible tactile actuator includes a tactile transmitter configured to be flexible and including magnetic particles capable of being polarized in response to an external magnetic field and a matrix layer including the magnetic particles, a magnetic field generator disposed below the tactile transmitter and configured to generate a magnetic field in the tactile transmitter, and an elastic member provided in a shape of a film, having at least a portion in surface contact with the magnetic field generator, and attached to be in surface contact with one of a top surface and a bottom surface of the tactile transmitter.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A flexible tactile actuator comprising:
 a tactile transmitter including a matrix layer containing magnetic particles; 
 a magnetic field generator configured to apply a magnetic field to the tactile transmitter; and 
 an elastic member connected to the tactile transmitter and separating the tactile transmitter and the magnetic field generator from each other, 
 wherein, as the magnetic field generator applies or does not apply a magnetic field to the tactile transmitter, at least a portion of the tactile transmitter moves relative to the magnetic field generator, thereby generating a vibrating force of 0.2 G or more. 
 
     
     
       2. The flexible tactile actuator of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the tactile transmitter and the magnetic field generator are spaced apart from each other by 0.1 mm to 3 mm. 
 
     
     
       3. The flexible tactile actuator of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the matrix layer has a tensile strength ranging from 0.02 newtons per square millimeter (N/mm{circumflex over ( )}2) to 8.85 N/mm{circumflex over ( )}2, and 
 wherein the matrix layer has an elongation percentage ranging from 65% to 700%. 
 
     
     
       4. The flexible tactile actuator of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the elastic member is formed of a polymer having a Young's modulus ranging from 0.5 gigapascals (GPa) to 6.1 GPa. 
 
     
     
       5. The flexible tactile actuator of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the content of the magnetic particles relative to the volume of the tactile transmitter ranges from 4% by volume (vol %) to 60 vol %. 
 
     
     
       6. The flexible tactile actuator of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the elastic member is formed of at least one of polyethylene terephthalate and polyimide. 
 
     
     
       7. The flexible tactile actuator of  claim 1 ,
 wherein at least a portion of the elastic member is in surface contact with the magnetic field generator, and at least a portion of the elastic member is in surface contact with the tactile transmitter. 
 
     
     
       8. The flexible tactile actuator of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the tactile transmitter is a magneto-rheological elastomer. 
 
     
     
       9. The flexible tactile actuator of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the magnetic field generator is formed of a flexible material that is bendable. 
 
     
     
       10. The flexible tactile actuator of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the magnetic field generator includes:
 a first magnetic field generating circuit printed on an insulating film and wound multiple times in a circular, oval, or polygonal shape. 
 
 
     
     
       11. The flexible tactile actuator of  claim 10 ,
 wherein the magnetic field generator further includes:
 a second magnetic field generating circuit printed on the insulating film and wound multiple times in a circular, oval, or polygonal shape. 
 
 
     
     
       12. The flexible tactile actuator of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the magnetic field generator comprises:
 a plurality of flexible printed circuit boards attached using an adhesive, and 
 
 wherein each of the plurality of flexible printed circuit boards comprises a magnetic field generating circuit to generate a magnetic field. 
 
     
     
       13. A method of manufacturing a flexible tactile actuator, the method comprising:
 mixing a matrix material and magnetic particles; 
 molding the matrix material in which the magnetic particles are mixed into a shape of a tactile transmitter; 
 attaching an elastic member such that at least a portion of the elastic member is in surface contact with the tactile transmitter; and 
 attaching a magnetic field generator such that at least a portion of the elastic member is in surface contact with the magnetic field generator. 
 
     
     
       14. A method of manufacturing a flexible tactile actuator, the method comprising:
 attaching an elastic member such that at least a portion of the elastic member is in surface contact with a tactile transmitter; and 
 attaching a magnetic field generator such that at least a portion of the elastic member is in surface contact with the magnetic field generator, 
 wherein the tactile transmitter is prepared by:
 mixing a matrix material and magnetic particles; and 
 molding the matrix material in which the magnetic particles are mixed into a shape of a tactile transmitter.